The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors has approved two major initiatives aimed at tackling homelessness and mental health challenges in Lodi, a city that has seen rising rates of unsheltered individuals and strained public resources.
The board Monday green lit funding for 12 transitional respite beds at the soon-to-open Lodi Access Center, as well as a long-term lease for 40 units of transitional housing in the city’s downtown. The initiatives mark a deepening partnership between the county and the city of Lodi, which local leaders say could serve as a model for other mid-sized cities grappling with similar issues.
“We are making real investments that will not only help people get off the streets,” Supervisor Steve Ding, who represents Lodi, said in a press release, “but also provide the health care, shelter, and support they need to rebuild their lives.”
Rising need, urgent action
The new projects are part of a broader regional response to a growing homelessness crisis. According to the 2024 Point-in-Time count, Lodi had 416 people experiencing homelessness — 262 of them unsheltered. That marks an 18% increase from just two years prior, with unsheltered homelessness alone rising 25%.
The new twelve-bed facility, backed by nearly $600,000 in county funding, will provide temporary stabilization space for people with behavioral health conditions. Officials say this approach offers a vital alternative to emergency rooms or jail for individuals in crisis.
Meanwhile, the county also approved a 10-year lease with the city for the “Reimagined Housing on Main” project — a transitional housing complex located on South Main Street. The site will include 40 units of housing paired with wraparound services such as case management, health care referrals and life skills support.
Launched in 2021 as part of the San Joaquin Community Response to Homelessness strategy, Housing on Main aims to reduce barriers to crisis services and expand access to affordable housing. In 2023, Lodi also partnered with the Health Plan of San Joaquin to accelerate the project, securing more than $3 million in grants from the San Joaquin County Health Commission and Regional Early Action Planning funds.
“What we’re doing here is going to be a roadmap for the rest of the country,” Ding said.
From ERs to recovery centers
The Lodi Access Center, still under construction, is envisioned as a “one-stop shop” for care, officials say. Once completed, it will include medical services, behavioral health support, showers, meals, shelter beds and access to transitional housing.
First responders — often on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis — will be able to transport individuals directly to the center, alleviating pressure on emergency rooms and reducing the cycle of incarceration or street homelessness.
Lodi officials have praised the county’s financial and logistical support, calling the partnership “a significant step forward in our city’s homelessness response.”
“These services will provide the critical physical and mental health support necessary to break the cycle of homelessness,” Lodi Mayor Cameron Bregman previously said in a June press release.
Local strategy, broader goals
Lodi’s recent investments reflect a shift toward a “service-first” approach — prioritizing help for individuals willing to engage with treatment and housing services, officials say. However, officials also stress accountability, citing ongoing challenges with encampments, public health concerns and neighborhood impacts.
The county’s efforts are backed by broader funding from state and regional health agencies, including millions in grants to support construction and operations.
“The Access Center will alleviate pressure from our hospitals and overall healthcare system by providing an alternative and more appropriate destination to those struggling with behavioral health challenges,” Ding said.